Past Governor of Trinidad and Tobago Sir George LeHunte

George Le Hunte

Sir George Ruthven Le Hunte GCMG

Sixth Governor of Trinidad and Tobago

Born on the 20th August 1852

Died on the 29th January 1925

The son of George the high sheriff and Mary, daughter of Edward Pennefather, lord chief justice of Ireland.

He was educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge.

Was called to the Bar of the Inner Temple, London, in 1881.

He married Caroline Rachel Clowes on 14 February 1884.

He was appointed the private secretary to Sir Arthur Gordon in 1875, and then served in Fiji from 1875 to 1887.

He became the judicial commissioner for the Western Pacific High Commission in 1883.

He was transferred to the West Indies where he served as president of Dominica from 1887 to 1894.

After becoming colonial secretary of Barbados in 1894 to 1897, and then Mauritius in 1897.

He was appointed C.M.G. in 1898. CMG or Companion is an honour given to British Ambassadors to foreign countries who have rendered important services in relation to the Commonwealth or foreign nations. A person is appointed to the order not awarded.

Lieutenant-Governor of British New Guinea from 22nd March 1899 to 1903.

He was Governor of South Australia from 1st July 1903 and served until the 18th February 1909. He carried out his duties in a manner that won respect for his administrative ability, common sense and kindliness. His genuine interest in the welfare of the Aborigines was recognized and earned him the title of "the children's governor".

He was then appointed governor of Trinidad and Tobago, in December of 1908 to January 1916.

He died of cancer on 29th January 1925 at Crowborough.